2022 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 463 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2022 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMar 22, 2024
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Campaign 24V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switchNov 9, 2023
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Campaign 23V755000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshieldSep 22, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
Campaign 22V712000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, engine control module (ecu/ecm)Jul 1, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Campaign 22V473000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
463 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 9, 2021
Windshield cracked at 4,900 miles, parked at work. My safety was fine when it happened because no one was in the car. Contacted Subaru of America and local Subaru dealer, they both sent me to one another but neither has helped to help fix this reoccurring issue with 2022 Subaru Outbacks.
Steering, Nov 8, 2021
After 20 years of driving experience that's probably the first car where I feel unsafe. Once in my life I had such experience which I have every day right now. It was hydroplaning on the very wet road. In another words it feels like driving under strong side wind or really wet/slippy road and car not under my full control. I already had five visits in two different Subaru dealerships. They twice did wheels allignment. But it didn't help. The last my visit they told they can't find and reproduce the issue. I guess I can be close my eyes for another issue but that's can be dangerous not only but another guys on the road.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2021
The windshield cracked without an object striking it while driving. It cracked from the center lower edge of the windshield. This issue was part of a clas action suit in 2019.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2021
Driving on a highway but no other vehicles in front or to the side. Possibly there seems to be a central point from a dot, but this is no larger than a no larger than a pencil point. In a matter of a few minutes a crack extended across the windshield in a snake pattern. I had concern since this seemed to be a drastic outcome and was more thinking it was a stress crack rather than a rock chip, especially in light of the fact that there were no other vehicles on the road. Curious, I researched Subaru windshields and became aware of previous recalls on Subaru windshields.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2021
My windshield cracked with out a direct impact to the windshield. I replaced the windshield with an OEM windshield, approximately one week after install the windshield cracked again. There is most likely a bad lot of windshields.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The contact would be forced to place the vehicle into neutral to stop the acceleration. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and recently became more frequent. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle when the vehicle would independently accelerate. The contact called the dealer and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer kept the vehicle for almost two weeks and was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 700. The VIN was not available.
Lane departure, Sep 16, 2021, crash
(ADAS) R WAVE RADAR SENSOR/BLIND SPOT WARNING SENSOR. NO WARNING FOR THE STATIONARY OBJECT (TREE) BEHIND MY VEHICLE CAUSING A COLLISION. A REPORT WILL BE MADE TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP ONCE THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED BY THE COLLISION CENTER. INSURANCE ADJUSTERS HAVE REVIEWED. NO WARNING LIGHTS, OR ANY SIGNS OF ANY ISSUE UNTIL THE BLIND SPOT SENSOR FAILED TO PROPERLY WARN ME OF THE STATIONARY OBJECT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2021
The windshield is warped on the passenger side, approximately 6 - 8 inches from the right seal, bottom corner. This creates a blurred distortion from traffic merging to the right, and causes a hazard in spatial relationship to the vehicle. Pictures show distortions through the windshield that do not exist. This has nearly caused me to be in accidents. The dealer is checking with Subaru on the issue; the service rep acknowledged seeing the warping through the windshield.
Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2021
The 2022 Subaru Outback has a "feature" called AUTO START STOP. This is intended as a fuel saving feature. In the car's Setup Menu, you have the choice to turn this feature off. However, this feature MUST be turned off EACH and EVERY TIME you start the car. The change is NOT held in memory. This fact was confirmed by a Subaru Customer Service Representative in a call on the morning of 9/7/2021. This Auto Start/Stop feature works just like a gasoline powered golf cart. Take your foot off the gas and the engine dies. Press the accelerator and the engine restarts. However, there is NOT oncoming traffic on a golf course. If the wheels are canted to the left or right, a notable amount of force is experienced in the steering wheel. Subaru should be FORCED IMMEDIATELY to make a software change to allow this feature to be disabled permanently. I also suspect that in extreme cold or as these vehicles age, this "feature" will become an extreme safety hazard.
Engine, Aug 14, 2021
The initial incident occurred on July 31, 2021. I used the push button start to start the car, put the vehicle in reverse, and the vehicle proceeded to roll uncontrolled down my driveway, which is on a slope. I had no power steering or power brakes. I was able to safely stop the vehicle with no incident other than damage to the plastic over the right rear taillight. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, and everything seemed operational. It seemed that the car's engine had not turned on, only the electrical system. The same issue happened repeatedly over the next few days. In observing what was happening, I have noticed that the push button ignition requires a significant press in order for the vehicle to start correctly - quite different from my experience with our previous two push-button start vehicles. In the "Getting Started Guide, Outback 2022", p. 41, instructions clearly state "briefly press and release the Engine START/STOP button." I submit that this is inaccurate, and that new vehicle owners should be advised as to what to do, and what to look for in the dashboard to understand that the vehicle engine has, in fact, started properly. I am a user experience researcher, including in automotive research, and we have an expression that there's no such thing as user error, just poor design. This is a clear example of poor design.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 14, 2021
A little penny sized chip on the front windshield has turned into a severe crack from the middle of the windshield to passenger side as well as the the driver side.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2021
2022 Subaru Outback is new as of June 2021. 2 times I have had to get a jump start. No light were left on and doors and hatchback closed
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2021, fire
Vehicle was purhased in early June 2021. Vehicle was being operated on State Highway Route 55 at Milepost 46.7, in Elk Township, Gloucester County. Traffic was heavy, with southbound transient traffic traveling to New Jersey Shore points. Vehicle simultaneously lost power and began to display several error/warning messages on dashboard at approximately 13:52 hours. Vehicle was pulled to the right shoulder of the roadway and I began to smell something burning. As I removed personal effects from vehicle I exited and saw smoke coming from the passenger's side wheel well. I walked back approximately 100 feet and called 911, by time a dispatcher came answered, the engine compartment of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. No modifications of any kind were done to the vehicle since its purchase. I was the sole occupant of the vehicle and not injured. The vehicle is fully insured and payments are current. It's mileage at the time of the incident are 3,042. That information along with the error messages were provided through the Subaru Starlink App.